Application of active biomonitoring technique for the assessment of air pollution by potentially toxic elements in urban areas in the Kemerovo Region, Russia.

In Kemerovo Region (Kuzbass, Southwest Siberia), there is the largest coal basin in Russia and one of the largest in the world. Active moss biomonitoring was applied to assess the impact of potentially toxic elements on air pollution in five urban areas of the region. In each of the chosen urban regions, the moss bags were exposed in November and December of 2022 at locations with varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure.

Nanoscale Titanium Oxide Memristive Structures for Neuromorphic Applications: Atomic Force Anodization Techniques, Modeling, Chemical Composition, and Resistive Switching Properties.

This paper presents the results of a study on the formation of nanostructures of electrochemical titanium oxide for neuromorphic applications. Three anodization synthesis techniques were considered to allow the formation of structures with different sizes and productivity: nanodot, lateral, and imprint. The mathematical model allowed us to calculate the processes of oxygen ion transfer to the reaction zone; the growth of the nanostructure due to the oxidation of the titanium film; and the formation of TiO, TiO, and TiO oxides in the volume of the growing nanostructure and the redistribution of oxygen vacancies and conduction channel.

Detonation Nanodiamond Soot-A Structurally Tailorable Hybrid Graphite/Nanodiamond Carbon-Based Material.

The results of a comprehensive investigation into the structure and properties of nanodiamond soot (NDS), obtained from the detonation of various explosive precursors (trinitrotoluene, a trinitrotoluene/hexogen mixture, and tetryl), are presented. The colloidal behavior of the NDS particles in different liquid media was studied. The results of the scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential measurements, and laser diffraction analysis suggested a similarity in the morphology of the NDS particle aggregates and agglomerates.

Simulation of Arc Discharge in an Argon/Methane Mixture, Taking into Account the Evaporation of Anode Material in Problems Related to the Synthesis of Functional Nanostructures.

In this work, within the framework of a self-consistent model of arc discharge, a simulation of plasma parameters in a mixture of argon and methane was carried out, taking into account the evaporation of the electrode material in the case of a refractory and non-refractory cathode. It is shown that in the case of a refractory tungsten cathode, almost the same methane conversion rate is observed, leading to similar values in the density of the main methane conversion products (C, C, H) at different values of the discharge current density. However, with an increase in the current density, the evaporation rate of copper atoms from the anode increases, and a jump in the - characteristic is observed, caused by a change in the plasma-forming ion.

Size Dependence of the Band Gap of Core-Shell Tantalum and Tantalum Oxide (V) Nanoclusters.

Monodisperse films of spherical tantalum oxide (V) nanoclusters and spherical tantalum nanoclusters with a tantalum oxide shell with diameters of 1.4-8 nm were obtained by magnetron sputtering. The size of the deposited nanoclusters was controlled using a quadrupole mass filter.

Tungsten Diselenide Nanoparticles Produced via Femtosecond Ablation for SERS and Theranostics Applications.

Due to their high refractive index, record optical anisotropy and a set of excitonic transitions in visible range at a room temperature, transition metal dichalcogenides have gained much attention. Here, we adapted a femtosecond laser ablation for the synthesis of WSe nanoparticles (NPs) with diameters from 5 to 150 nm, which conserve the crystalline structure of the original bulk crystal. This method was chosen due to its inherently substrate-additive-free nature and a high output level.

Chromosomal Abnormalities in Miscarriages and Maternal Age: New Insights from the Study of 7118 Cases.

Chromosomal abnormalities of the embryo are the most common cause of first-trimester pregnancy loss. In this single-center study, we assessed the frequency and the spectrum of chromosomal abnormalities in miscarriages for each year of maternal age from 23 to 44. Cytogenetic data were obtained by conventional karyotyping of 7118 miscarriages in women with naturally conceived pregnancies.

Negative linear compressibility of molecular and ionic-molecular crystals.

The compressibility of crystalline tetrabromophthalic anhydride (TBPA) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate (EMN) was studied based on density functional theory including dispersion interactions at pressures below 1 GPa. It is found for the first time that EMN demonstrates negative linear compressibility (NLC) up to ∼0.15 GPa, whereas TBPA shows significant NLC at pressures higher than ∼0.

Mitochondrial Fragmentation as a Key Driver of Neurodegenerative Disease.

Mitochondrial form and function are intricately linked through dynamic processes of fusion and fission, and disruptions in these processes are key drivers of neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's. The inability of mitochondria to transition between their dynamic forms is a critical factor in the development of pathological states. In this paper, we focus on the importance of different types of mitochondrial phenotypes in nervous tissue, discussing how mitochondria in Alzheimer's disease are "stuck" in certain patterns and how this pattern maintains itself.

The association between underlying conditions, risk factors, risk markers, and post-COVID conditions ≥6 months after COVID-19: A systematic review.

Introduction: While various demographic factors and underlying medical conditions are associated with the development of post-COVID conditions within a month after SARS-CoV-2 infection, less is known about factors associated with post-COVID symptoms that persist for 6 months or more. The aim of this review was to determine the association between underlying conditions, other risk factors, health behaviors, and the presence of symptoms ≥6 months after COVID-19.

Methods: Studies reporting on post-COVID symptoms were searched in databases, including Medline, EMBASE, Global Health, PsycInfo, Scopus, CINAHL, Proquest, and WHO COVID-19 literature, from the beginning of the pandemic until November 2022.

The Novel Allele HLA-C*12:02:55 Identified by HLA-Typing of a Bone Marrow Donor.

The new HLA-C*12:02:55 allele showed one synonymous nucleotide difference compared to the HLA-С*12:02:02:01 allele in codon 134.

Novel Synonymous HLA-B*35:01:80 Allele Identified by Next-Generation Sequencing.

The new HLA-B*35:01:80 allele showed one synonymous nucleotide difference compared to the HLA-B*35:01:01:01 allele in codon 137.

Six Novel HLA Class I Alleles Detected in Inhabitants From the Russia.

Six novel HLA class I alleles were detected during the HLA typing process.

Characterisation of Eight Novel HLA-A Alleles From Bone Marrow Volunteers.

Identification of eight novel HLA-A alleles by next-generation sequencing.

HELMINTH EGGS FROM PACHYCROCUTA BREVIROSTRIS (CARNIVORA, HYAENIDAE) COPROLITES FROM TAURIDA CAVE (EARLY PLEISTOCENE, CRIMEA).

Twenty-seven Pachycrocuta brevirostris coprolites from Taurida Cave (Early Pleistocene) were studied. Eggs of parasitic worms were found in 6 of them (22.2%).

A retrospective study on ruthenium-106 and strontium-90 eye-plaques treatment for retinoblastoma: 16-years clinical experience.

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of plaque brachytherapy for the treatment of retinoblastoma.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 163 patients (186 eyes, 333 tumors) treated with brachytherapy (Ru or Sr plaques) for intraocular retinoblastoma between November 2007 and August 2023.

Results: Complete tumor control was achieved in 273 tumors (82%).

Singlet oxygen presenting a higher detoxification potential on enrofloxacin than sulfate and hydroxyl radicals.

With the aid of radical and non-radical reactive species (RS), advanced oxidation processes can efficiently degrade emerging organic contaminants including antibiotics but may generate toxic transformation products (TPs). However, the detoxification capacity of popular RS has not been well elucidated. This study compared the detoxification of enrofloxacin (ENR) with three RS-dominated systems: O, SO+OH, OH.

Copper and zinc isotope fractionation during phototrophic biofilm growth.

Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) are two trace metals that exhibit both limiting and toxic effects on aquatic microorganisms. However, in contrast to good knowledge of these metal interactions with individual microbial cultures, the biofilm, complex natural consortium of microorganisms, remains poorly understood with respect to its control on Cu and Zn in the aquatic environments. Towards constraining the magnitude and mechanisms of Cu and Zn isotope fractionation in the presence of phototrophic biofilms composed of different proportion of diatoms, green algae and cyanobacteria, we studied long-term growth in a rotating annular bioreactor and quantified the uptake of metals and their isotope fractionation at environmentally-relevant Cu and Zn concentrations.

Endocrinologic Dysfunctions and Neuropsychiatric Sequelae in Pediatric Patients With a History of Central Nervous System Infection (ENDLESS): A Prospective Monocentric Study.

Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) infections represent some of the most critical pediatric health challenges, characterized by high mortality rates and a notable risk of long-term complications. Despite their significance, standardized guidelines for endocrinological follow-up of CNS infection survivors are lacking, leading to reliance on the expertise of individual centers and clinicians.

Materials And Methods: Prospective monocentric observational study conducted at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli in Rome, Italy.

Binding the Power of Cycloaddition and Cross-Coupling in a Single Mechanism: An Unexpected Bending Journey to Radical Chemistry of Butadiynyl with Conjugated Dienes.

What if an experiment could combine the power of cycloaddition and cross-coupling with the formation of an aromatic molecule in a single collision? Crossed molecular beam experiments augmented with electronic structure and statistical calculations provided compelling evidence on a novel radical route involving 1,3-butadiynyl (HCCCC; X∑) radicals synthesizing (substituted) arylacetylenes in the gas phase upon reactions with 1,3-butadiene (CHCHCHCH; XA) and 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene (isoprene; CHC(CH)CHCH; XA'). This elegant mechanism merges two previously disconnected concepts of cross-coupling and cycloaddition-aromatization in a single collision event via the formation of two new C(sp)-C(sp) bonds and bending the 180° moiety of the linear 1,3-butadiynyl radical out of the ordinary by 60° to 120°. In addition to its importance to fundamental organic chemistry, this unconventional mechanism links two previously separated routes of gas-phase molecular mass growth processes of polyacetylenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively, in low-temperature environments such as in cold molecular clouds like the Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1) and in hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and their moons such as Titan, which revises the established understanding of low-temperature molecular mass growth processes in the Universe.

25-Hydroxycholesterol modulates synaptic vesicle endocytosis at the mouse neuromuscular junction.

Many synaptic vesicles undergo exocytosis in motor nerve terminals during neuromuscular communication. Endocytosis then recovers the synaptic vesicle pool and presynaptic membrane area. The kinetics of endocytosis may shape neuromuscular transmission, determining its long-term reliability.

Biomarkers.

Background: The priority problem of modern healthcare is irreversible dementia due to the steady increase in morbidity. Among irreversible dementias, Alzheimer's disease takes the first place. Most often, only with sufficiently pronounced cognitive disorders, the doctor can diagnose Alzheimer's disease, although it is obvious that the neurodegenerative process begins even before the clinical manifestations of the disease.

Biomarkers.

Background: The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE4+) genotype and aging synergistically contribute to the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the mechanisms underlying their influence are not completely understood. The methylation of ELOVL2 DNA accounts for 70% of the variance in the aging epigenetic clock. The ELOVL2 gene is essential for synthesizing long polyunsaturated fatty acids, crucial for cell membrane integrity, inflammation modulation, and energy maintenance.

Public Health.

Background: Middle Eastern and North Africa (MENA) adults living in the US experience a higher burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to White adults. AD mortality among MENA adults has not been examined. The gap in the literature is because MENA individuals in the US are defined as part of the White race group despite there being differences in health outcomes and lived experiences between MENA and White populations with European origins.